The whole top part of the 2026 NFL Draft was about the Ohio State football program. The Buckeyes were expected to have several players taken in the top 10, and they did. Carnell Tate was the first one selected, taken by the Tennessee Titans with the fourth overall pick.
Arvell Reese was taken one pick later by the Giants. Two picks after that, Sonny Styles went to the Commanders. Surprisingly, Caleb Downs slipped outside of the top 10. Perhaps teams didn't think that taking a safety that high was smart because of positional value.
Yet, not everyone thought that way. In fact, the Dallas Cowboys decided to trade up to take Downs with the 11th overall pick in the draft. He now gets to play for one of the most storied franchises in the NFL after two years playing for the Ohio State Buckeyes.
Dallas Cowboys trade up to take Ohio State safety Caleb Downs
The Buckeyes would not have won the 2024 national championship if they didn't have Downs on the roster. Downs made several game-saving plays in the Cotton Bowl against Texas during that run. That includes the game-sealing interception in the fourth quarter.
Downs will now get a chance to play alongside Malik Hooker, another Buckeye safety. Both safeties will get to swap stories about the Buckeyes as they man the secondary. Downs will also get to play his brother Josh during his rookie year, as the Cowboys play the Colts.
Caleb Downs might end up being the most productive player in the draft. He's definitely the smartest player in the draft, as his intelligence has been on display during his entire collegiate career. Now, he gets to play for the Cowboys. Downs is going to be used all over the field in Dallas.
This was a great decision by the Cowboys to trade up for him.
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